2017-2019 Audition Information Form

Due by Friday, June 9, 2017

Name______

Mailing Address ______

Preferred Phone (please indicate home, work, cell) ______

Email ______

I am a director ______ringer ______Church______Community______School______

I have been directing Ringing (indicate # of years)

Summarize your music and handbell background including other instruments played & musical training:

______

______

______

______

______

______

Are you a solo ringer? Yes No Do you play in a small ensemble? Yes No

If you play in a church ensemble, does the choir play concerts outside of the church service? Yes No

List the four most advancedpieces you have played in the last year and, if possible, the difficulty level of each piece.

Rate your ability with the following techniques:

(1) Very experienced (2) Experienced (3) Minimal experience (4) No experience

Four-in-hand ______

Shelley______

Multiple Bells (weaving, non-keyboard order assignments)______

Bass Bells (C2-B3)______
What is your regular assignment as a ringer? ______

For this audition, you will be asked to prepare and play multiple positions. Please choose three of the four categories below, listing in order of preference (1st, 2nd, 3rd). We will honor specific requests as much as possible, but may not be able to honor every request in order to put together a complete ensemble for the audition.

High Treble (C6-C8, Shelly/Four-in-Hand) Preference______

High Battery (C5-B5)Preference______

Low Battery (C4-B4)Preference______

Bass (C2-B3)*Preference______

*Bass bells from C3-B3 will be split into two positions (CDFB/EGA)

Audition Details

Location: Mt. Lebanon United Methodist Church, 3319 West Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15216

Date: Sunday, June 25, 5pm; if you have a problem with this date/time, please contact us at

Ringing term: Auditionees selected at this full ensemble audition will be asked to commit to a 2 year ringing term, covering the 2017-2019 concert seasons (see below for tentative hold dates for the 2017-2018 season).All members of TRR are required to audition every 2 years. The next full ensemble audition will be in 2019.

Ringer Expectations: All ringers are required to be at all TRR performances & events.TRR rehearsals are Sunday evenings, 6-9pm at Mt. Lebanon UMC. Ringers are expected to be at all rehearsals, and any rehearsal absences must be approved by the Artistic Director.

The audition will consist of:

  • Technical exercises intended to gauge rhythmic accuracy and technical proficiency
  • An informational interview with the directors of the ensemble
  • Prepared group piece: You will be asked to prepare 2 separate positions for Sing We All Noël by Fred Gramann; Choristers Guild CGB466, available here:
  • Sight-reading in a group setting; during the audition, you may be asked to sight-read at several different positions

Other Details:

  • All equipment will be provided (7 octaves Schulmerich handbells, 6 octaves Malmark/Schulmerichhandchimes, mallets, etc)
  • Auditionees must provide gloves, music (for the prepared piece), music folder, and pencil
  • All auditionees are expected to have Sing We All Noël prepared at performance level
  • Audition forms are due by Monday, June 5, 2017 and can be returned via email: or via US mail: Three Rivers Ringers, P.O. Box 79180, Pittsburgh, PA 15216.
  • Questions? Contact Nancy Lutz at or 412.334.7987

2017-2018 Concert Holds

All dates are subject to change, though typically not all concert holds are used during a series.

Reserve the entire day. Afternoon concerts may involve a morning set up.

All ringers are required to be at all TRR performances & events.

Winter 2017 Series
Friday, December 1

Saturday, December 2

Sunday, December 3

Friday, December 8

Saturday, December 9

Sunday, December 10

Friday, December 15

Saturday, December 16

Sunday, December 17

Spring 2018 Series

Friday, April 20

Saturday, April 21

Sunday, April 22

Friday, April 27

Saturday, April 28

Sunday, April 29

(Friday, May 4 – NO HOLD - Mt. Lebanon UMC concert)

Saturday, May 5

Sunday, May 6

Friday, May 11

Saturday, May 12

(Sunday, May 13 – NO HOLD – Mother’s Day)

Friday, May 18

Saturday, May 19

Sunday, May 20

Three Rivers Ringers | P.O. Box 79180, Pittsburgh, PA 15216 | 412.229.RING |
Nancy Lutz, Artistic Director